SIC Bowling Team Achieves Early Success
Major and mid-major universities and colleges from across the nation competing in the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Collegiate division are taking note of the new kid on the block.
Southeastern Illinois College’s inaugural season competing against primarily Division I schools began last fall at the University of Pikeville Orange & Black Bowling Classic. At the end of regulation play, SIC finished ahead of such varsity teams as Ohio State University, West Virginia University, Ball State, Miami University, Cumberland University, Walsh University, Youngstown State University, Oberlin University, and Shawnee State University.
“Our kids were introduced to collegiate bowling in the strongest of fashions at the Orange and Black tournament,” said coach Doug Cottom. “Besides being somewhat on edge in bowling in their first collegiate event, the kids had to compete on a lane pattern they had never seen before. I am sure as they play in more tournaments, they will get a lot more comfortable with the collegiate environment.”
The Falcons’ 2019 season opened January 26 at Vincennes University (VU), where it competed in a scrimmage against VU’s junior varsity men’s team. The match saw three lead changes before it ended with a dramatic come-from-behind win by SIC.
SIC Coach Jeff Crowley, a member of VU’s national championship varsity bowling team in years past, was ecstatic.
“Imagine if a community college men’s basketball team played Duke’s second team at Cameron Indoor Arena, and won! That is what our bowling team did,” said Crowley. “Every player on our team made big shots at important times in the match. But as well as our team bowled, they left pins on the lanes.”
Crowley added, “We have four weeks to prepare for our next major tournament in Nashville, Tennessee. We need to get stronger, and we must eliminate those loose shots we made at VU. I can promise you someone will win at Nashville. If our players improve just a little from their performance at VU, it could be a Falcon!”
Making the trip to Vincennes were freshman bowlers Elizabeth Davis of Omaha, Keely Reed of Harrisburg, Lizzie Powell of Troy, Noah Short of Maryville, and Fred Barger of Collinsville.
Southeastern president Jonah Rice has high praise for his young Falcons.
“SIC could not be more pleased with the successful launch of our collegiate bowling team,” said Rice. “To come out so strong as to beat multiple universities and other colleges is astounding—and testament to the great student talent we have in addition to outstanding coaches. I see another long and prosperous championship dynasty in the making.”
Southeastern will end its 2019 season March 8-10 in Nashville at the USBC Collegiate Singles Championship.
Anyone interested in trying out for SIC’s 2019-20 men’s or women’s varsity teams is encouraged to contact Doug Cottom at [email protected] or 618-841-4867. Scholarships and bowler incentives are available.
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Please see attached photos.
Keely Reed of Harrisburg
